First They Came For the Guitars

September 19, 2011

This is taking poetic license with Pastor Niemoller’s quote, but it is time to wake up America, we are under siege and it isn’t from Al Qaeda, it’s from the Obama Administration.

Here is my take on the historical quote:

First they came for the Guitars

But I wasn’t an employee of Gibson

So I didn’t speak up.

Then they came for the citizens of Arizona

But I wasn’t an Arizonan

So I didn’t speak up.

Then they came for the rich

But I wasn’t rich

So I didn’t speak up.

Then they came from me and there was no one left to speak for me.

I have taken obvious poetic license, however the gist of the message is unaltered.

If Mr. Obama isn't screaming about class warfare from the bully pulpit, the Obama administration harasses citizens of the United States through the arm of the Justice Department (which, under the Obama administration has become an oxymoron) with Gestapo-like methodology.

Case in point, AttackWatch.com

An Obama administration website designed to turn in other citizens for alleged “lies?” Citizens are to turn in other citizens (hello Nazis) so the Obama administration can "set the record straight?"

Right. What brainless waif believes that is all the Obama administration will do with this information?

When one reads The Wall Street Journal account of what our Justice Department perpetrated on this business, it might be easy to distance oneself from this egregious overreach of the federal government. There are numerous elements that could excuse someone for not caring about this small blip on the 1984/Big Brother-is-watching radar. I’m hoping however I can convince a naysayer who might read this that the facts prove the situation to be quite the opposite.

What happened to Gibson should scare the cargo pants off of even the most devoted medical marijuana devotee.

“Dude, did you hear what happened to Gibson guitars?

“Yeah, so what? The CEO’s a mondo-millionaire. I’m not. Why should I give a _____?”

“I play guitar man. This bothers me. Now, my welfare check won’t stretch enough to snag one of them sweet Gibsons, but this is some scary ____”

“So who cares about Gibson and some raid? Just last month, in honor of the release of Doom 5 we had that kegger party. Remember? That got raided. No big whooops. Why are you getting all wee-weed up about some big corporation?”

"Gee, I dunno Dude, this doesn't pass the smell test..."

I'm saying, Dude there’s a whole lot to get wee-weed up about...

In November 2009 Eric Holder’s office raided Gibson Guitar’s headquarters and executed another raid in August 2011.

Eric and his Gang of Thugs seized millions of dollars worth of merchandise and materials. To this date, not one piece of property has been returned to Gibson. To this date, no charges have been filed. The potential charges seem to be regarding the wood that Gibson procures from at first Madagascar and then after the first raid, India. The second set of charges seem to be the Justice Department alleges Gibson acquired the wood from these sources and may have broken, not any of our laws, but the laws of the source country. Gibson has produced all paperwork from their source countries showing all is legal. Yet Eric is still hanging onto Gibson’s property worth millions.

In addition, they refuse to reveal to Gibson when, if ever, charges might be filed.

Gee, could it be because they don’t have a case?

Gibson is the only guitar company targeted by Eric and his Gang of Thugs for allegedly violating the Lacey Act.

Is Gibson targeted because Gibson’s CEO donated to Republican causes?

Or is it that Gibson headquarters is located in Nashville, TN – a right to work state (not a forced to unionize state) while the rest of the major guitar makers are located in forced union states? No other guitar U.S. company was raided.

Maybe it’s because the CEO of one of Gibson’s major competitors is C.F. Martin & Company—a Democratic donor?

I’m of the notion it’s all of the above.

Has anyone noticed that Arizona has become “Lawsuits R’ Us?” thanks to Eric Holder and his Angry Mob of Gangsters?

The Obama Administration has filed an “Immigration” federal lawsuit against it’s own citizens of Arizona – that was in July of 2010.

Has anyone noted that the Obama administration is suing the very citizens they are sworn to protect?

I don’t want to remain silent. Will they come for me next?

A website that urges people to turn in sources like Nixon’s enemy list?

Raiding a right to work guitar company and seizing their property almost a year ago and refusing to return it even though to date, no charges have been filed?

Arizona takes a stand with regard to applying federal immigration law and the feds attack our own citizens?

This is just the tip of the iceberg; I’m not listing all the unconstitutional actions taken by the Obama administration. That would take a document the size of Obamacare…

Folks – it won’t be long before they are at your door. Do not remain silent. Consider calling or writing your Congressman today and ask them to put a stop to these frightening abuses of power. The Obama administration is only going to become more and more desperate as the election draws near. They are proving they will stop at nothing.

Comments

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sheila b. 5 years ago

Communists are only good at destroying whatever they can. But contacting my congressman won't do any good. Firing, defeating our congressmen is the only answer.

Brenda Durham 5 years ago

Hi Carol. It's okay; stuff happens; I've overlooked comments before for months because I didn't see a notification or I just neglected to check back on a hub. You're not BAD; you're AWESOME! haha. Take care, and keep Hubbin'; I love reading your articles!

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

Brenda - I think I neglected to thank you for your comments and generous compliments. I'm so sorry I didn't get to this sooner - I thought I thanked you already. MY BAD!

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

WOW - thank you for that terrific compliment bilboburgler! I'm so pleased to know you found this funny!

bilboburgler 5 years agofrom Europe

Easily the funiest hub on the web. Thanks, made me laugh all afternoon. Keep it up.

Harvey Stelman 5 years agofrom Illinois

cjv, and they were worried about bush, ha. h

KC Santiago 5 years agofrom Texas

And this administration ha decided it is not a COnsitutional right for citizens to choose what they eat, that is the federal government's job. Raids like what we saw against Gibsonm Guitar have been going on against natural food retailers for a couple of years now.

cjv123- Hopefully these issues can successfully be made public and appropriate actions can be taken to hold the attorney general accountable. I'd like to see this issue front and center in the republican debates. I wonder if Gibson has considered taking these issues to the Supreme Court?- Regards and blessings- WBA

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

I appreciate your kind words Vocalcoach! Very kind of you!

Audrey Hunt 5 years agofrom Nashville Tn.

Ah, Carol - You are so right on! This is such a marvelous piece of work and deserves a thumbs up and voting across the board except for funny. There isn't anything funny about whats going on in our leadership. Big thanks, my friend.

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

Thanks so much American!

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

Dave --- There's a book "Why You Can't Remain Silent." We are actually called to contend for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our civil rights, our constitutional rights have been smashed with this administration. Look what is happening with the examples I gave in this Hub! It's EXACTLY as the poem says, your friend won't be ABLE to worship because if this stuff keeps going on, it will become a crime! We must be heard, we must speak out and we as Christians and Jews must stand for our rights or we'll lose them!

Dave Sibole 5 years agofrom Leesburg, Oh

I had someone with all the best of intentions said she considered religion and politics were private matters. I jumped all over that telling her we have to be politically active or else. Good hub.

American View 5 years agofrom Plano, Texas

Great areticle, whay to point out Obama as the loser he is Up and awesome

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

As your recent Hub on this very same topic should be required reading Pop. I too am prone to the the dramatic, but I'm not over the top on this one. We need to be very afraid for SURE!

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

Ghost - please accept my sincerest apologies - I should not have assumed Arizona could possibly be beaten into submission. It was very, very wrong of me! Thank you for that correction and GO ARIZONA!

breakfastpop 5 years ago

This is an important piece of writing that should be required reading for every American citizen. This administration is destroying our freedoms right before our eyes. Where is the public outcry? This administration is employing Gestapo tactics to deal with opponents and anyone who dares not agree with their radical agenda. We are under siege and I am not being dramatic, I am being realistic. Up and awesome.

Ghost32 5 years ago

First of all, thanks for this excellent piece, but as one of those "citizens of Arizona" I can state categorically:

We have NOT been beaten into submission.

Most likely, you really meant, "...to TRY to beat Arizona into submission."

We're not really a submissive bunch out here. Except for a few of the folks in Tucson, under ultralib Sheriff Clarence Bigmouth Dupnik, but that's the exception, not the rule.

And I've decided one thing for sure: I haven't owned a Gibson since 1980, but when my ship comes in (which it will) and it's time to add a higher-end axe to my trusty little Ibanez, it will (because of the Holder B.S.) DEFINITELY be a Gibson. Not only will I gain a great guitar, but the purchase will make a great story to self-report to AttackWatch.

Besides, no matter what their supposed legion of fans say, as far as I'm concerned, Martins suck.

Voted Up and a Bunch.

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

I almost put that at the end of the Hub but took it out at the last minute - thanks for saying it for me Fitnezz!

Nick Lucas 5 years ago

I love the comments or part you said you took a poetic license too....so true and throughout history...like in germany....this is what happened...people do not wake up until it hits them personally and by then it is too late....good hub!

FitnezzJim 5 years agofrom Fredericksburg, Virginia

For most of these problems we've been running into, the answer is simple:

Remember in November 2012

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

My sympathies Poolman - I too can NOT believe that this is actually happening in our country. It's chilling. I don't understand why Congress isn't up Holder's butt - I don't get it and it's frightening.

Thanks for your comments! Always good to hear from you!

Old Poolman 5 years ago

This hub should scare the hell out of everyone who reads it. Who would have ever thought these kinds of things would happen in America? I am one of the fortunate one's who live in Arizona, and was not at all surprised we are being sued by the Feds for trying to do something about our open borders. Great job of reporting with this one, and a great presentation of what is going on now, and what we can expect in the future.

Brenda Durham 5 years ago

Wow. I hadn't heard about the Gibson thing; thanks Carol for the information about that! The other stuff I knew, and it seems impossible to do anything about any of it. The world has gone crazy.

Your take on the Niemoller quote is good usage of it!

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Carol 5 years agofrom Michigan

Thanks Moonlake for stopping by and leaving your comment.

Wayne Brown 5 years agofrom Texas

Obama figured out long ago that democracy is a much to tedious process for his needs. So, he goes right for the jugular with his #1 watchdog, Eric Holder, who happens to have no qualms as to which way you bend the law as long as it comes out in your favor. Gibson Guitars is guaranteed the right to speed trial under our Constitution...due process must be carried out. This delaying action has nothing to do with the courts...it's all about Holder and Co. Gibson should be filing counter-suits with the courts and standing Mr. Holder in front a judge to explain his use of the laws in this country to fit his own needs. Unfortunatetly, those who will support Obama will simply rally around him as he commits more and more acts designed to strip away freedoms while the courts and the congress sit idly by just letting it happen. Thanks much, Carol. WB